Red Poppies for Veteran’s Day

Red Poppies for Veteran’s Day

Medium: Construction Paper, Cardstock, Marker, Tempura Paint

Reason for Lesson:  To introduce students to the concept of SHAPE. The ability to accurately identify shapes is a foundational mathematic skill, and it is quite rewarding for children because their world is full of shapes. Understanding shapes will enable students to be more in tune to the world around them and see the connections between objects, as well as being better able to appreciate artistic works.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Preparation prior to lesson:  15 minutes

Class Time: 1 hour

Materials:  Light blue construction paper, traced picture of a vase on white cardstock, red and blue marker, scissors, green construction paper cut into rectangles for flower stems, red Tempera paint, black tempera paint, green tempera paint circular foam stamp brushes, glue sticks

Instructions to Lead Lesson:  

Step 1:  Begin the lesson by discussing different shapes.  Show the different pictures of shapes and discuss the facts about the shapes.  For example, a square has four equal sides, a triangle has 3 sides and 3 corners, etc.  (The pictures of the shapes will be in the pink bin in the closet)

Step 2:  Have the students identify different shapes in the classroom.

Step 3:  Explain to the students that the art project is going to be on display for Veteran’s Day.  Discuss the meaning of Veteran’s Day.  After a discussion of this topic, introduce the red poppy and how it relates to Veteran’s Day.

INFORMATION TO HELP IN DISCUSSION OF VETERAN’s DAY

The symbol of the red poppy came from the following poem:

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly. Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Why Poppies?

Poppies became the symbol to represent veterans because of the poem “In Flanders Fields,” by the Canadian military physician Colonel John McCrae. In the poem, McCrae wrote of the poppies that bloomed in some of the most bloodied battlefields of Flanders during World War I.

Imagery of Red Poppies

In the poem, McCrae wrote of the imagery of the bright red poppies, which had bloomed over the rows and rows of white crosses.  His poem became a rallying cry for soldiers in WWI.

Two Women

Anna Guerin of France and Moina Michael of Georgia were very touched by McCrae’s poem. As a result, they worked hard to sell artificial poppies and raise money for disabled veterans and their families.

It Becomes Official

In 1922, the Veterans of Foreign Wars made the poppy the official memorial flowers to represent United States veterans.

Red Poppies Today

Red poppies are still worn on Veterans Day, and money is still collected to assist veterans returning from war and to aid their families. So, on the next Veteran’s Day, don’t forget to wear your red poppy in honor of all those who have served.

Step 4:  Have each child pull out a red and blue marker.  Using only these colors have them decorate their vase using only shapes.  Using the overhead, project the sheet of paper with all the shapes on it for the kids to reference when working on their projects. (This will be in the pink bin) Once done, have them cut out their vase along the line VERY SLOWLY.

Step 5:  Use the front table for the paint.  On a piece of light blue construction paper have the children use the round stamp brushes to create poppies on the upper half of their page.  It might be helpful for a parent/teacher to show them how to do five dots of red in a circle.

Step 6:  Next the students will paste green rectangle stems coming down from the flowers with a glue stick.  Help the students angle the stems towards a center point.

Step 7:  Paste the vase towards the bottom of the blue construction paper over the green stems.

Step 8:  By this time the red paint should have dried a little.  Have the student now use black paint and a circular stamp brush to dot in the middle of each poppy. 

Step 9:  Have the students sign their name in the bottom right hand corner with a black sharpie

Credit:  Katie Leale, AABC Coordinator